Job Description
Job Description
Company: Vangst, hiring on behalf of a top cannabis manufacturing client
Location: Costa Mesa, CA (Orange County)
Department: Extraction / Manufacturing
Employment Type: Full-time, on-site, through Vangst
Schedule: Three 12-hour shifts per week; day shift (6:00 a.m.-6:00 p.m.) or night shift (6:00 p.m.-6:00 a.m.), weekday and weekend shifts available
Compensation: $60,000-$80,000 per year; full-time, exempt
Position Overview
Vangst is seeking an experienced Cannabis Extraction Technician for one of our top clients, a licensed Type 7 (volatile manufacturing) cannabis manufacturer and distributor in Costa Mesa. The team runs 100% butane (hydrocarbon) extraction and makes a full concentrate lineup for bulk wholesale, with an in-house brand and new product lines launching soon.
As an Extraction Technician, you'll run the closed-loop butane extraction system. Each shift runs with one extractor supported by one or two Lab Technicians, who handle material prep and setup, so your focus stays on running the equipment safely, hitting yields and producing consistent, high-quality concentrate. You'll join a stable, close-knit production team of about 20 people.
Key Responsibilities
- Operate the closed-loop hydrocarbon extraction system using butane, following SOPs and facility safety procedures.
- Confirm that prep from Lab Technicians (packed columns, filters, staged material) is correct before each run, and direct them during runs.
- Monitor equipment, system performance and operating parameters throughout each run.
- Manage solvent recovery, handling and storage according to approved safety procedures.
- Produce concentrates including liquid diamonds, high terpene extract (HTE), badder, crumble, sugar and isolate.
- Perform post-extraction work such as purging and dewaxing, using vacuum ovens, chillers, pumps and related equipment.
- Track yields, consistency, quality and run efficiency.
- Keep accurate batch records, extraction logs and METRC inventory entries.
- Perform routine equipment inspections, cleaning and preventive maintenance, and report malfunctions promptly.
- Keep the extraction lab clean, organized and inspection-ready.
- Follow all safety requirements, including hazardous material handling, PPE, ventilation, gas detection and C1D1 extraction-room protocols.
- Comply with California Department of Cannabis Control (DCC) regulations, local fire codes and company manufacturing standards.
- Work with the lab and production teams to meet daily and weekly production targets.
Qualifications
- Must be 21 or older and able to pass the background check required for Costa Mesa cannabis worker badging.
- Able to commit to this as your only job.
- 1-2+ years of hands-on hydrocarbon (BHO) extraction experience.
- Experience operating closed-loop butane extraction systems in a licensed cannabis manufacturing facility.
- Working knowledge of hydrocarbon solvent handling and extraction lab safety.
- Experience producing concentrates such as diamonds, HTE, badder, crumble or sugar.
- Experience with post-processing equipment, including vacuum ovens, chillers and pumps.
- Strong mechanical aptitude and ability to troubleshoot basic equipment issues.
- Able to follow detailed SOPs and keep accurate production records.
Preferred Qualifications
- Experience in a Type 7 volatile manufacturing facility.
- Familiarity with C1D1/C1D2 extraction environments.
- Knowledge of California DCC manufacturing regulations.
- Experience with METRC and batch tracking.
- OSHA, HazMat or other relevant safety training.
- Experience in a high-volume concentrate operation, or as a lead extractor.
Physical Requirements & Work Environment
- Able to stand, walk, bend and perform repetitive tasks through a 12-hour shift.
- Able to lift and move materials weighing up to 50 pounds.
- Comfortable wearing required PPE, including respiratory protection when required.
- Able to work in designated extraction areas around specialized equipment and hydrocarbon solvents.
What We're Looking For
An experienced, safety-first extraction professional who takes pride in consistent, high-quality concentrate. The right person follows SOPs closely, brings strong mechanical aptitude and works well both independently and with the broader production team.
About Vangst
Vangst is the cannabis industry's hiring platform. We help cannabis companies find the talent they need to grow, from on-demand temporary staff to trained, credentialed full-time employees. Vangst has built the industry's go-to talent marketplace for cannabis hiring and works with many of the industry's leading businesses. Our headquarters is in Denver, CO.
Vangst provides equal employment opportunities to all employees and applicants for employment and prohibits discrimination and harassment of any type without regard to race, color, religion, age, sex, national origin, disability status, genetics, protected veteran status, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, or any other characteristic protected by federal, state or local laws.